CBA points to 6% profit rise as evidence it is navigating economic headwinds

Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA) said its cash profit (NPAT: net profit after tax) for the third quarter of 2025 had been 6% higher than the same time last year, at $2.6 billion, with this figure being slightly above market expectations.

Also higher were operating income – up 1%, and underpinned by growth in lending volume and higher trading income – and operating performance, which was 1% higher than the first half quarterly average, and 6% higher the prior comparative quarter.

CBA was also buoyed by stronger data for business loans, which rose 9.1% to $3.7 billion from the previous quarter.

But the bank also underscored a 1% rise in operating expenses during the period, as a result of higher spending on technology and frontline staff, and partly offset by two less days in the quarter and the benefit of ongoing productivity initiatives.

CEO Matt Comyn said the bank was navigating successfully through a period which he acknowledged was ‘challenging’ for many Australian households and businesses as a result of cost-of-living pressures.

“Our focus on supporting our customers, investing in our franchise to deliver superior customer experiences and executing our strategy with consistency and discipline has delivered solid results for our shareholders,” he said.

“Our balance sheet settings remain strong. We have maintained strong capital and provisioning levels, and have successfully completed our FY25 funding task during the March quarter.

“Our deliberate and long-term conservative approach to key balance sheet settings enables us to support our customers, the economy and our shareholders through a range of macroeconomic scenarios.”

CBA shares have been $166.14.

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